Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

• Mohammad Talaei ¹
• Katayoun Rabiei ¹
• Zahra Talaei ²
• Negar Amiri ³
• Behzad Zolfaghari ⁴
• Payam Kabiri ⁵
• Nizal Sarrafzadegan ⁶

¹ General Practitioner, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

² Resident, Isfahan Medical Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

³ Resident, Isfahan Medical Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran AND Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

⁴ Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacognosia, School of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

⁵ Epidemiologist, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

⁶ Professor, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to investigate physical activity by socioeconomic status (SES) and sex in an Iranian adult population. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 6622 adults, who participated in the Isfahan Healthy Heart program (IHHP) surveys in 2004 and 2005 and were living in urban areas, were studied. Daily leisure time, household, occupational, and transportation physical activity, and total physical activity were calculated and compared in 3 socioeconomic status groups classified by the two-step cluster analysis procedure. RESULTS: Statistically significant variations were found in all physical activity levels, except transportation, by sex. Men were more active than women in all fields, except household physical activity. Leisure time physical activity of men and women were significantly higher in higher SES levels. There was an opposite correlation between SES and total physical activity in men. CONCLUSION: Considering the importance of physical activity as a component of a healthy lifestyle, differences among varying socioeconomic status and sex must be considered while planning for healthy lifestyle programs. Women with low SES, in particular, may need more attention.   Keywords: Physical Activity, Socioeconomic Status, Leisure Time, Gender, Cluster Analysis